"Experiences in" is a series of short impressionistic reviews designed to deliver quick notes and comments about different games with the budget or frugal gamer in mind. Borderlands II is such a robust game, but I'll keep it short so that you can quickly decide to buy it or skip it.

Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag is simply known as AC4: Black flag. The game continues to offer new and unexpected turns in the Assassin's Creed game series. This time, our character finds himself visiting a pirate era environment.

Nothing seems new because the gameplay style and game mechanics fit into the AC series. In fact, Black Flag starts out like previous Assassin's Creed games with sword-play, pickpocketing, climbing and diving from high places. The exception is that the new environment focuses on naval warfare.

Your character is a pirate taking swashbuckling fantasies to new heights as you build a crew and pirate ship. Relish in the chaos as you open cannon fire upon Spanish merchant ships and other war vessels. Board enemy ships and engage the enemy crew in sword fights and 17th-century gun battles. Capture an enemy ship, loot their cargo and then watch their ship sink into the unforgiving sea.

Explore nearby islands for treasure and the thrill of hunting down animals and supplies. Loot towns and villages as you make your way through the game world.

Image Click STEAM Product PageImage Click STEAM Product Page

Price: As of this writing, AC4: Black Flag was on sale at STEAM. Roughly $20 bought the gold edition.In general, gold editions of most games include some, if not all, DLC (expansions, add-ons). So, wait for a sale if you must, make sure you can get it cheap... because most PC gamers are on a budget and that is the theme of my impressionistic reviews, right?

Storyline: Despite the game's technical relation to other Assassin's Creed games, AC4: Black Flag's storyline is entertaining and intriguing with a solidly thought out plot if you've followed the entire series... if not, no problem, you can catch up through the various wiki's, videos and reviews out on the internet.

Game Mechanics: If you've played modern first-person shooters (FPS) and third-person shooters (3PS) you'll find AC4: Black Flag handles fairly well. There is the occasional annoyance of your character jumping and climbing unintentional places like doorways and random walls. But, for the most part, the controls have a nominal learning curve and the keyboard keys can be modified or remapped.

Weapons and Equipment: True to the weaponry of the 17th century, AC4: Black Flag offers an array of upgradeable clothing, sailing ships, swords, knives and guns for you to upgrade and use. Weapons and ammo both get picked up off dead enemies and bought via trade stations, shops and blacksmiths. The in-game currency is found in loot boxes scattered throughout the game.

Please note that this game requires a UBISOFT/UPLAY account even though you are buying the game via STEAM. You could buy directly through Ubisoft and just use their game platform, UPLAY, but I recommend purchasing through STEAM.

Last edited by AKMARK5000 on Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:34 pm; edited 15 times in total (Reason for editing : Information Update)